Participants wait their turn during the field goal competition, as freshman collegiate kicker Domanick Knott puts one through the posts. 

2nd Annual Midwest Kicking & Punting Championship

All of our middle school, high school and college participants were able to get in the competition despite being sandwiched between thunderstorms for the 2nd Annual Midwest Kicking & Punting Championship. With kickers from across Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, three winners were crowned in both Varsity and Junior divisions at River Falls High School in River Falls, Wisconsin.

Champions in the Varsity divsion (16+) were awarded customized MFKC game balls, while our Junior division (15 & under) received custom MFKC mini-helmets. Said Event Director Mike Farley, “On our website, we joke about NOT giving out trophies… but who wouldn’t want a good football to kick around?”

A unique feature exclusive to the competition is allowing parents and fans on to the sidelines for a great view — and to make the contest easier to watch, kickers simply needed to get their kick offs and punts into the end zone to qualify for the next round.  All competitions allowed 2 misses.

VARSITY WINNERS

Kickoff

Aziz Ashour, a junior at Nicolet High School won the kickoff crown by defeating rival Ethan Van Beek and outlasting this year’s Junior champion Trace Fitzgerald with a 63 yard kick into a crosswind. It took all of 10 rounds for Aziz to win the title on “longest kick wins”!

Punting

Ethan Van Beek will be a junior at Laconia High School. Despite missing one attempt at 45 yards, Ethan found a great groove on his last three punts that were all well over 50 yards, the last punt goiong 57 yards to win the Punting Championship!

Field Goals

Ethan Van Beek (Jr. Laconia) won this year’s title from many strong competitors. Last year’s winner, Garrison Jackman nailed a 45 yarder to win the title. This year, Ethan had to outkick 6other kickers still vying for the title at that distance. Despite missing his first kick (at 30 yards), Ethan was able to re-focus and make his next four field goals, and a 50 yarder for the win!

JUNIOR WINNERS

Kickoff

Trace Fitzgerald, a sophomore at Champlin Park High School won the Junior kickoff crown by defeating brock Needham with a 55 yard kick. He then competed for the Varsity championship with kids much older than he and finished in 2nd place with a 60 yard kick!

Punting

Gavin Shilts, a sophomore at Chippewa Falls High School won the Junior Chamnpionship with a 50+ yd punt  to defeat all challengers. He got to compete in the Varsity competion and took second for his effort!

Field Goals

Brock Needham, a sophomore at Holmen High School, won the Junior FG crown with a 40 yard kick to defeat Trace Fitzgerald. Brock and Trace both were perfect up to 35 yards and both missed their first kick at 40. Brock’s title winning boot sailed perfectly through the uprights!

Photos from the competition:

Next year’s 3rd Annual Midwest Kicking & Punting Championship is being worked on for next summer. We hope to see twice the number of participants and are in the process of looking for sponsors. If you’re interested to help, please contact Coach Farley at mike@kickerscamp.com